Part 2 Toe Shoes review, peoples reactions and running tracks

I took these babies to the school and the reaction was

"WHAT ARE YOU WEARING!!!"

"You look like big foot"

"They are hideous"

...and then out to coffee and the reaction was

"Why are you wearing THEM"

"They look really silly"

"You look ridiculous"

...which was followed by a run along the waterfront

where no-one commented or judged them

These shoes are meant to give you a bare foot feeling and they do. My problem is that I don't like to be bare foot. Not even in the house. They are very light weight and surprising comfortable. They didn't feel all bunchy (yes, that is a word) between the toes. The sole is thin, so you can feel surfaces through them. They would be very comfortable to potter around the house or walk to the shops.

Running, I found this to be harder work and running is already hard work. You seem to use muscles in your feet that you don't normally use. During the run I could feel straining in my arch and through my toes. I had to adjust my running to give a gentler landing (sort of rolling my feet and up on the toes more). I can see this would force you to better your running technique. Afterwards, I could feel that my calves had worked harder too.

At the end of my run I couldn't wait to get them off, I was starting to feel claustrophobic.

Were they better than traditional shoes for running? Not for me. Would I want them? Yes, but I wouldn't wear them often. Just for shorter runs to try to improve my technique.

The running tracks I picked for my run today:

Whistle - Flo Rida (a great warm up song)
Firework - Katy Perry (really perky and positive)
So What! - P!nk (just because I feel like a rockstar)
Jungle Drum - Emiliana Torrini
B***h - Meredith Brooks (because I am all those things)
Wake Up Call - Maroon 5
369 (feat B.o.B.) Step Up 2
Milkshake - Kelis
Hips Don't Lie - Shakira (it's true hips don't lie and mine are telling me I ate a cupcake yesterday)
Secret - Seal (a nice cool down track)

After a run I usually have a slow walk for a few minutes and then a drink of water and a banana. I know many people prefer a sports drink but I find these are too sugary.

On Tuesdays I link up with Diary of a SAHM

Toe shoes, running songs and 10 running necessities

I have seen a few people running in the 'toe shoes' also know as 'loser shoes', 'w****rs' or 'Vibram FiveFingers'. I even went as far as to tell my husband if he ever brought home a pair he should bring divorce papers with them too.

Any woo, what I am getting around to is that I have a pair to try out. I will be be the loser running along the bike path in the toe shoes. I am not happy about this but I am also really curious. I love the cushioning of a great pair of running shoes and these are the complete opposite.

Besides a great pair of shoes, I have a few other running necessities:
1. Motivation - this isn't always easy to come by. Fake it until you make it;
2. Pick a distance you want to achieve and also pick an achievable 'I wish' distance. Mine are usually 10km and 12-15km. I find that I usually push myself to hit the 'I wish' distance;
3. Running tracks. I can not run outside without my 'Run' playlist. I know a lot of people advise against listening to music when running but I need it. Just keep the volume low so you can hear bikes, overtaking speedy runners and bad men sneaking up on you;

4. Headphones. I know this seems obvious but I have forgotten them a few times;

5. Sunscreen. Derr
6. Sunglasses. Double derr
7. Cap. derr derr derr
8. Spi-belt. This is the best waist bag in the history of bags. Very comfortable and doesn't bounce around. It fits keys, phone, money and headphones easily;

9. Water. I only drink water when I am done, but it's good to take little sips throughout the run/jog/walk
10. A map. Why not, Captain Cook probably had one, and just a mind map. Plan where you are going to run. Don't bring your UBD refidex

and don't forget to stretch before and after. I am usually really slack at this

For those curious cats, these are some of the songs on my 'Run' playlist;

We are young - by Fun (This is a good warming up track)
Payphone - Maroon 5
Moves like Jagger - just cos I have the moves
F**kin' Perfect - Pink
Sk*ter Boi - Avril Lavigne (don't knock it, until you run to it)
Mr Mysterious - Vanessa Amorosi
There you Go - Pink (any song by Pink is excellent)
Jai Ho! (I try to do Bollywood moves while running for extra intensity)
Smile - Lily Allen
Case of the Ex - Mya (anything angry is good)
Big Girl - MIKA (campy and fast)
Me and my imagination - Sophie Ellis Baxter
Musics got the best of me - also Sophie

Tomorrow I am going to update you on the toe shoes verses normal runners and share some reactions people had to them.